Water conservation campaigns achieve top results

Queenslanders have heard the message about water conservation and continue to show that good water use practices have become an essential part of their lives.

Water use by south east Queenslanders fell to below 150 litres per person per day last week, which proves the success of programs initiated by the Queensland Water Commission to educate householders on how to save water.

On average, South East Queenslanders last week used 149 litres per person per day, down from 151 litres the previous week and well within the voluntary target of 200 litres per person per day set by the Government.

Prior to the worst drought in 100 years which saw our dams drop to a combined capacity of just 17 per cent, water usage was over 300 litres per person per day across the region.

The QWC continues to promote good water habits and has used market research to assess the most effective ways of delivering the water conservation message.

One such program involved popular Queensland performers Troy Cassar-Daley and Laurel Edwards. It was a tremendous success as measured by the latest low water consumption figures.

Some other programs were suggested but were considered not suitable or not needed.

For instance, a suggested program to advise householders about the new water retail entities was considered not necessary as the retailers had embarked on their own information campaign.

The Bligh Government gave a commitment in the last budget to reduce advertising expenditure by 25 percent. Like South East Queensland water users, the QWC has responded responsibly and well within the target.

The QWC's advertising expenditure for the last financial year was 37 per cent below the previous year.